Colchicine in cardiovascular disease: an ancient drug with modern tricks

• Published in: Heart Vol. 102; no. 13; pp. 995 - 1002
• Main Authors: Tong, David C, Wilson, Andrew M, Layland, Jamie
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Colchicine - administration & dosage; Colchicine - pharmacokinetics; Colchicine - pharmacology; Colchicine - therapeutic use; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Tubulin Modulators - administration & dosage; Tubulin Modulators - pharmacokinetics; Tubulin Modulators - pharmacology; Tubulin Modulators - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1355-6037; 1468-201X
• DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-309211

From the dark history of being a poison and purgative, colchicine has risen to become one of the few irrefutable positives in the history of pharmacology in the management of myriad inflammatory conditions. Colchicine exerts its action through binding to tubulin, which in turn affects several cellular processes and pathways modulating the inflammatory response. Despite narrow therapeutic-toxicity window and the most common complaint of gastrointestinal upset, its list of medicinal use is expanding in recent years as we continue to unravel the mystery of this ancient remedy. In this review, we summarise the history of colchicine use, discuss its pharmacokinetics and mechanism of actions, and examine the most up-to-date evidence of colchicine in the treatment of various cardiac conditions with a focus on cardiovascular disease.